Monday, March 14, 2011

The real difference between fasting and abstinence (hint: It's not about meat)

St. Paul the Hermit, who was dedicated to fasting and abstinence

It
is well known that, according to popular Church usage, the difference between
fasting and abstinence is that a fast-day indicates a restriction of the
quantity of food (currently, one large meal and two small meals) while an
abstinence-day indicates a restriction of the quality of food (today, no meat).
This is summed up well by the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“Laws
relating to fasting are principally intended to define what pertains to the
quantity of food allowed on days of fasting, while those regulating abstinence,
what refers to the quality of viands.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, Abstinence)

Nevertheless,
it will be good for us to consider that there is a deeper distinction between
fasting and abstinence – one rooted in moral theology. A consideration of this
ontological and moral difference will help us to enter more profoundly into the
mystery of Lent.

Abstinence is a virtue,
while fasting is an act

We
turn first to the Angelic Doctor: “Abstinence by its very name denotes
retrenchment of food. Hence the term abstinence may be taken in two ways.
First, as denoting retrenchment of food absolutely, and in this way it
signifies neither a virtue nor a virtuous act, but something indifferent.
Secondly, it may be taken as regulated by reason, and then it signifies either
a virtuous habit or a virtuous act.” (ST II-II, q.146, a.1)

About
fasting, St. Thomas writes: “Habit and act have the same matter. Wherefore
every virtuous act about some particular matter belongs to the virtue that
appoints the mean in that matter. Now fasting is concerned with food, wherein
the mean is appointed by abstinence. Wherefore it is evident that fasting is an
act of abstinence.” (ST II-II, q.145, a.2)

Therefore,
we may conclude that the essential difference between fasting and abstinence is
that abstinence is a stable disposition in the soul, it is a virtue. In fact,
abstinence is "a special virtue" which falls under the cardinal virtue of
temperance. Meanwhile, fasting is an act of the virtue of abstinence.

If
we look to a solid modern source for Catholic Doctrine, we find the same: Abstinence is defined as, “The
moral virtue that inclines a person to the moderate use of food or drink as
dictated by right reason or by faith for his own moral and spiritual welfare.
As commonly understood, abstinence refers to refraining from certain kinds of
food or drink and may be undertaken by a person spontaneously or it may be
prescribed by ecclesiastical law, whether for the universal Church or for
certain territories.” (Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary, Abstinence)

Fr. Hardon defines fasting as, “A form of penance that imposes limits on the
kind or quantity of food or drink. From the first century Christians have
observed fasting days of precept, notably during the season of Lent in
commemoration of Christ's passion and death.” (Fr. John Hardon’s Modern
Catholic Dictionary, Fasting)

The practices of Lent:
Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

This
is why the practices of Lent are listed as prayer, fasting and almsgiving,
without any mention of abstinence. Abstinence is primarily a virtue, but the
“practices” of Lent are acts. Thus, we speak of fasting and not of abstinence
when we consider the Lenten discipline.